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CALENDAR OF EVENTS…

Sunday, October 31Badnarik for President Meetup, Location will be announced on the forums.

Tuesday, November 2Get out and Vote Libertarian!

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New! VTLP Discussion Forums

The newly redesigned VTLP website keeps getting better! This week, we introduce new discussion forums. With your free registration, you gain access to a dynamic discussion site that covers a range of topics and issues related to politics, Vermont, and libertarianism. Please join us online!

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Campaign Materials and Yard Signs

Here are the contacts to get your hands on yard signs and other campaign materials for libertarian candidates:

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In the news…

MACHIA RECOGNIZED BY AMERICANS AND VERMONTERS FOR TAX REFORM

On Tuesday, October 12, 2004 – Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Hardy Machia (may-sha) will be recognized and congratulated for his signing of the Tax Payers Protection Pledge by Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

Norquist will speak on the steps of the Vermont State House in Montpelier at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 12, to announce, recognize, and congratulate the Vermont candidates who have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. The pledge commits a member to oppose and vote against any effort to raise taxes on individuals or corporations.

Machia said, “I’m the only candidate for governor willing to stand up for Vermont taxpayers by signing the pledge. I’m the only candidate speaking for the majority of Vermonters who want less spending and taxes. I’m asking for their vote, and I will stand by my pledge.”

The Libertarian Party of Vermont surveyed 1500 Vermonters in 30 towns across Vermont on Town Meeting Day in March of 2004. Following are the two questions related to taxes and spending and the results:

3. Returning state spending to its 2001 level would eliminate the need for the sales tax and state income tax. Controlling spending would improve the business environment and improve worker’s take home pay on average by $2,000. Should Vermont return to that spending level?

Yes: 42% No: 32% Maybe: 26%

5. Vermont spends 56% more per capita on state government than NH. Should Vermont lower government spending?

Yes: 56% No: 23% Maybe: 21%

Hardy Machia, 35, of Grand Isle, VT, is a computer software designer and is running a full-time campaign for governor. He will be on the ballot with five other candidates on November 2. More information is available at http://www.freevermont.org.

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ELECTION SPOILER MAY TURN OUT TO BE A LIBERTARIAN

BY JOSH GERSTEIN – Staff Reporter of the Sun

Just as in 2000, a third-party candidate could tip the balance in this year’s presidential contest. This time, however, the spoiler may not be Ralph Nader, but a man whose name most voters have never heard.

The presidential nominee of the Libertarian Party, Michael Badnarik, is on the ballot in 48 states. Mr. Nader, by contrast, is certain to be on the ballot in only 35 states, though he may pick up a few more by Election Day.

Democratic activists, many still fuming over Mr. Nader’s perceived role in Vice President Gore’s loss to President Bush four years ago, have brought court challenges to keep Mr. Nader off the ballot in places across the country.

By contrast, Republicans have said and done little about Mr. Badnarik, a 50-year-old computer programmer from Texas. Yet political strategists say he and the little-known Libertarians could affect the outcome in several battleground states crucial to Mr. Bush’s re-election.

“The Libertarians are drawing somewhere between 1% and 3% – not big numbers, but in these very close races like the presidential contest, they could well be the margin of difference,” a political science professor at the University of Minnesota, Lawrence Jacobs, said. “They pose a genuine threat to be the kingmaker in several swing states.”

Most national polls don’t ask about Mr. Badnarik, but some state surveys do. Polls done by Rasmussen Reports for Mr. Badnarik’s campaign showed him with 5% of the vote in New Mexico in August and with 3% support in Nevada last month.